PPF Experience
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 195
Likes: 59
PPF Experience
Looking for feedback on PPF experiences. I recently (last fall) had a full front install of self-healing Xpel. About a month later, I stored the car in an unheated garage for the winter. Coming out of storage, I had to bring the car back to the installer to address several areas where the PPF was peeling back. Both mirror caps, both fenders and now going back again for more "clean up". My only other PPF experience was with my previous car and it held strong for 8 years before I had any thing that needed attention. I went into this thinking once it was on there, I wouldn't have to do anything for a long time and I'm already on my third trip in less than 12 months. What's normal and how often does Xpel require maintenance? If my experience is not normal, I'm assuming this comes down to poor prep. What constitutes good prep? What would be causing these repeated failures? My goal is to build some more knowledge as I navigate the conversations with the installer who says "this is normal". These installs aren't cheap and I am debating the nuclear option of asking for money back and pulling the film off the car to cut bait with the installer. Talk me off, or over the ledge.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,624
Likes: 86
From: Mansfield, Massachusetts
The Expel on the front of my 2018 has been on for 7 years with no problems at all and my garage is unheated. I don't feel what you're experiencing is normal and if the installer won't fix it, I'd go directly to Expel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 187
From: Earth
I don't have any PPF but recently got my windows tinted at this business. They are the premier facility around me and do a lot of high end cars, etc. If your close I would highly recommend them. http://www.blackoutempire.com
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 195
Likes: 59
Yep...I came to that conclusion also. After some trimming, it seems to be in a better place. With a 10 year warranty, I guess I'm in it for the long haul with this place but I wont be doing anything new with them.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,815
Likes: 1,583
From: Eastern MA
I have Expel on the front of my C2. It's about eight years old now, still looks great; the PO had it done. It needs a piece replaced (not removed and replaced, it's already gone, don't ask, I had nothing to do with it) and I found a local guy, 20 minutes away. The original installer is about....six states away.
The local guy declined to replace the piece when I brought him the car for an estimate even though he's an Expel installer and has done supercars.
In my book, this describes "the wrong installer". Gotta be careful.
The local guy declined to replace the piece when I brought him the car for an estimate even though he's an Expel installer and has done supercars.
In my book, this describes "the wrong installer". Gotta be careful.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 295
From: Hill Country, Texas
2 years on my c8 and it still looks good except where 2 rock dings are a bit too large to heal or easily repair. i do a lot of highway driving and it as saved rock chips in the paint had it done at the original xpel location in san antonio.
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